Michigan Lumber Jocks get-together #1: A good time was had by all

Please forgive me for not taking more pictures, but the cell phone was all I had. I forgot the camera!!!!

Anyway, as SteveMI said in his posting, it was a lot of fun for everyone. I’m not going to repeat his comments, as I could not say it any better. But rather, I’ll put some pictures to the event.

SteveMI is on the right, with David Craig on the left. Forgive me – I forgot David’s son’s name!

This is Russ in Michigan on the right – with only a partial head. Sorry, I was focusing on the show-and-tell portion of the get-together.

Here is JockMike and Rustic Rick. I was attempting to sell them an old flat head screwdriver, but both said they didn’t need one. Hmmm, maybe I’ll bring a Phillips next time.

I’ve been asking for forgiveness for all of the missed shots, cropped pictures, and for not knowing everyone’s name. Let me list all of the, “I forgot” stuff:

1. The ladies are not in any pictures. I only took three pics, but you’ll notice that each picture had something with woodworking in them.

2. I didn’t include in my pictures, the main reason we were able to have the meeting in the DeWitt Memorial Building – Keith July. Both him and his son were there, but nowhere to be found in my pictures.

3. I took only three pictures, and didn’t take any at the sawyers. I was trying to control myself from getting too excited with my wood (see below), that I forgot to take pictures!

Maybe next time, I’ll remember to take pictures, write down names, and be of some use! But hey, we all had fun.

-- I've never seen a tree that I wouldn't like to repurpose into a project. I love the smell of wood in the morning - it smells like victory.

Billy, why don’t you just bring that ugly scrap wood to Springfield later this month. Being, such a sweatheart of a guy, I will take it off you hands. You don’t really have the time or the space to use it anyway.

I’ll make something nice for Lou, and send it back—really—-TRUST ME.

Looks like a great time. I wish we could all get together someplace good for a couple of days next Spring.

Dustin – I’m looking to make a console table from the narrow piece. It’s about 14” wide x about 40” long. I’ll use the other piece to make the drawer. Kind of undecided on the legs (other than I know there will be three), but leaning towards incorporating another wood.

Michael, I thought (for about 3 seconds) about bringing it to you, but I don’t think I’ll have room in the 24’ U-Haul for it. Kind of cramped for space! And, I do trust you (sure).

-- I've never seen a tree that I wouldn't like to repurpose into a project. I love the smell of wood in the morning - it smells like victory.

Nice pictures BillyJ. Yes, we all had a good time. No need to apologize about my son’s name. I forget them myself sometimes ;) The one in the picture is Gabriel. My other son is Samuel. SteveMI was kind enough to give each of them one of his well crafted puzzles. They were pretty geeked about that the rest of the weekend. Enjoyed getting to know the faces that belong to the name and to spend a little time with Russ, who kept being referred to as “The New Guy” :)

Good news Russ, I was the last “New Guy” and it doesn’t take long to shed the title.

Thanks for posting these,

David

-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.

THANKS BILLY J. FOR AT LEAST TAKING SOME PICS. AS USUAL MY WIFE FORGOT THE CAMERA, (chuckle) WE DID HAVE A GREAT TIME AND I ENJOYED OUR LITTLE TALK WHILE WE WAITED FOR PIZZA, EVEN THOUGH I WASTED THREE CHECKS BEFORE IT FINALLY SUNK IN THAT YOU SAID YOU HAD IT PAID FOR. THAT’S WHAT THESE MEDS DO TO YOU. ANYWAY I DID GET A NICE PIECE OF THAT WOOD TOO, ACTUALLY TWO PIECES. I THINK I’LL PLANE THE ONE DOWN AND MAKE A BOX OUT OF IT. I’M THINKING A SMALL TABLE OUT OF THE OTHER. BY THE WAY, I FOUND ANOTHER SAWYER JUST NORTH OF TOWN THAT I WENT TO ON SUNDAY. I GOT OVER 100 bd ft OF WALNUT AND TWO BOARDS OF CHERRY 2X6X8 FOR 32 BUCKS. THIS GUY HAS A HOARD OF MAPLE, OAK, WALNUT, ASH, AND OTHER WOOD HE TOLD ME TO BRING MY LJ FRIENDS OVER AND HE WOULD GIVE YOU GUYS THE SAME DEAL. HE HAS TO GET RID OF THIS STUFF BECAUSE THE COUNTY IS ON HIM ABOUT HIS PLACE LOOKING JUNKY. ALSO THE WOOD IS ALL STICKERED NICELY BUT I WAS OUT THERE ABOUT 3 OR 4 YEARS AGO AND THE WOOD HASN’T BEEN MOVED OR SOLD SO I’M THINKING HE NEEDS THE MONEY. I TOLD HIM I’D TELL YOU GUYS SO SOME WEEKEND IF YOU AND STEVE OR ANYONE ELSE WANT TO RUN UP HERE WE CAN GET A BUNCH OF GOOD WOOD REAL CHEAP. I SHOWED THE WOOD TO DAVID CRAIG AND HE WANTS TO GO ON PAYDAY. LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO AND I’LL GIVE HIM A CALL. MIKE

-- (You just have to please the man in the Mirror) Mike from Michigan -

mafe – we had the same reaction when we were talking at the get-together. Personally, I’ve met a great bunch of guys (and their wives, too), through LJ. Sure, maybe we’d have bumped into each other at a wood show, but that’s about it. The best part – not only do I have LJ friends in Michigan, but all over the US.

To think – all this because of something natural – wood!

-- I've never seen a tree that I wouldn't like to repurpose into a project. I love the smell of wood in the morning - it smells like victory.

We had a good time and look forward to the next one. Thanks to Billy J, I latched onto a nice remote control for my dust collector. I will use it everyday…Thanks.Mike, you are such a tease…tell us about a good source of wood and forget to mention the name and location…Sounds like you and David are going to clean him out. :>) Good company and good food…two thumps upKeith